Building Model Data can be entered at building, block, zone and surface levels (but not at site level). The set of data shown will depend on the level in the hierarchy (building, block etc) and on the Model options selected.
Building Model Data is laid out on the tabs:
Each of these categories of data has a template selection at the top of the tab allowing rapid loading of the data from template.
Default data is inherited from the level above in the hierarchy and is shown in blue, while 'user data', i.e. data you have explicitly set (or loaded from template) is shown in red. You can clear user data back to its default state so it inherits from the level above using the Clear data to default command.
See also Component and Template list item colours codes
Tip: Use DesignBuilder defaults wisely! Take care to enter the minimum amount of data to get the most from the inheritance system. For example if all zones in a particular block have the same activity called say 'Office work', you should set the activity at block level and not multiple times at zone level. Equally if all the blocks in the building have the same activity, you should set the data at the building level and allow the blocks to inherit the data from the building. By keeping the amount of user data to a minimum, you will find it quicker to make changes at a later date. Clearly it is much faster to change a few Model Data items at building and block level than it is to make multiple changes at zone or surface levels.
See also section on Model Data Hierarchy & Data Inheritance.